President Richard Nixon had a lofty goal of eradicating addiction with a war on drugs. Fast forward from 1969 to today, and there’s little change. In fact, drugs still wreak havoc. What are some of the milestones along the way?
1930: Founding of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics
The agency is instrumental in the gradual criminalization of various drugs. At the time, the judicial system took a punitive stance toward drug use. In the 1950s, the agency released numerous anti-drug films that contained questionable science. These half-truths may have played a role in the popularization of substance use in the 1960s.
June 1971: President Nixon Officially Declares the War
His administration had already worked for a couple of years to create federal agencies that would handle this war. Recognizing that state engagement would have to be an essential element, Nixon also advocated for the development of state agencies. At the time, experts cited juvenile arrests as the canary in the coal mine that signaled severe coming consequences.
The 1980s: Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” Campaign and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act Continue the War on Drugs
President Ronald Reagan took office in 1981. First Lady Nancy Reagan assisted the anti-drug movement with her “Just Say No” campaign. President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which imposes minimum penalties for drug offenders. Missing from the legislation, as it is from its predecessors, is funding for rehab.
August 2000: President Bill Clinton Pays Colombia to Destroy its Coca Crops
The $1.3 billion dollar incentive also supported the Colombian military. The move acknowledges the country’s inability to prevent Colombia’s drug cartels from operating stateside. It also encouraged cooperation of other drug-producing countries to cut off supply lines for America’s drug sellers and buyers.
2016: President Barack Obama Shifts the Focus from Punishment to Treatment
Against the backdrop of growing opioid addiction numbers, the administration approved of behavioral therapies. It also allowed medications that treat individuals struggling with this disease and funded access to the drugs.
Getting Help with an Addiction Today
There’s no telling where the war on drugs will head under the next few administrations. What is clear, however, is the effectiveness of treatment for those suffering from an addiction problem. The experts at Pinnacle Peak Recovery treat a broad range of drug and alcohol addictions. These include programs such as:
- Dual diagnosis treatment for individuals who present with psychological conditions as well as substance use problems
- Talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior treatment
- Experiential therapies that benefit program participants on a holistic level
- Whole body wellness approaches with modalities that include Yoga
- A variety of addiction treatment settings that include inpatient and outpatient frameworks
Getting help for yourself or a loved one today is as easy as calling 866-377-4761.